Have you ever noticed those pesky extra pages on your website that seem to serve no purpose? Perhaps they're outdated, irrelevant, or just plain awkward. These unwanted pages are more than just a minor annoyance—they can actually wreak havoc on your SEO efforts. It's like having a party and inviting people to a room with nothing but an old couch and a broken lamp. Not the best impression, right?
In this post, we'll chat about some practical ways to tackle these unwanted pages. We'll explore why they matter, how to identify them, and, most importantly, what to do about them. Think of it as a little spring cleaning for your site, but with a big payoff in terms of SEO. Let's get started!
Why Unwanted Pages are a Problem
Unwanted pages can be more harmful than you might think. They clutter up your site and make it harder for search engines to crawl and index your content. It's a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack—except the hay is pages you don't even need.
From an SEO perspective, these pages can dilute the authority of your site. Imagine your website's authority as a pie. Each page gets a slice, and the more pages you have, the smaller each slice becomes. When you remove unnecessary pages, you're left with bigger, more flavorful slices for the content that truly matters.
Moreover, these pages can hurt your user experience. Visitors may stumble upon them and leave unimpressed, increasing your bounce rate. It's like leading someone through a maze with no exit—frustrating and likely to send them running to your competitors.
Identifying Unwanted Pages
Before you can tackle unwanted pages, you need to find them. This is where a site audit comes into play. Think of it as a detective mission to uncover the culprits hiding in plain sight.
You can start by using tools like Google Analytics or Google Search Console. These platforms can help you identify pages with low traffic, high bounce rates, or minimal engagement. Look for the following:
- Pages with little to no organic traffic
- Content that hasn't been updated in a long time
- Pages with high bounce rates
- Duplicate content or pages with similar keywords
Once you've identified these pages, categorize them based on their relevance and usefulness to your audience. This will help you decide whether to update, merge, or remove them.
Deciding What to Do with Unwanted Pages
Now comes the decision-making part. What exactly should you do with these pages? It boils down to three main options: update, merge, or remove.
Update
If a page has potential but needs a little TLC, consider updating it. This could involve refreshing outdated information, adding new content, or optimizing it for SEO. It's like giving an old room a fresh coat of paint and some new furniture.
Merge
For pages with similar content or keywords, merging might be the best option. Combine them into one comprehensive, valuable page. It's like taking two mediocre dishes and combining them into one delicious meal.
Remove
Some pages simply need to go. If they're irrelevant, outdated, or offer no value, it's time to hit delete. Think of it as clearing out your closet—sometimes you just need to let go of that old sweater you'll never wear again.
Using 301 Redirects
When you remove a page, you don't want to leave visitors hanging. That's where 301 redirects come in. A 301 redirect tells search engines that a page has been permanently moved to a new location. It's like leaving a forwarding address when you move house.
Setting up a 301 redirect ensures that any traffic or link equity the old page had is passed on to the new page. This helps maintain your site's authority and keeps both search engines and users happy.
Most content management systems (CMS) have built-in options for setting up 301 redirects. If you're using WordPress, for example, plugins like Redirection can simplify the process.
Handling 404 Errors
Ah, the dreaded 404 error—it's the last thing you want a visitor to see. But sometimes, removing a page can lead to these errors if you don't handle things properly.
To tackle 404 errors, first, identify them using Google Search Console or a site audit tool. Once you've found them, decide whether to redirect the page or create a custom 404 page. A custom 404 page can turn a frustrating experience into a helpful one by providing links to relevant content or a search bar.
Think of a custom 404 page as a friendly tour guide who helps lost visitors find their way back on track. It might not be the destination they were looking for, but it's a good way to keep them engaged with your site.
Optimizing Your Sitemap
Your sitemap is like a roadmap for search engines. It helps them navigate your site and understand its structure. When you remove unwanted pages, it's crucial to update your sitemap accordingly.
Regularly check your sitemap for any outdated or irrelevant pages. Remove these pages and submit the updated sitemap to search engines. This ensures that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information about your site.
Most CMS platforms offer plugins or tools to help you manage your sitemap. For WordPress users, the Yoast SEO plugin is a popular choice for generating and updating sitemaps.
Improving Internal Linking
Internal links are the bridges that connect different pages on your site. They help users navigate your site and allow search engines to understand the relationship between your content.
When you remove unwanted pages, take a moment to review your internal links. Make sure that any links pointing to the removed pages are updated or redirected. This prevents users from landing on broken links and enhances the overall user experience.
Consider using a tool like Screaming Frog to crawl your site and identify any broken links. Once you've found them, update or remove them to ensure a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.
Keeping Content Fresh
One of the best ways to avoid unwanted pages in the future is to keep your content fresh and relevant. Regularly review your content and update it as needed. This not only improves your site's user experience but also signals to search engines that your site is active and valuable.
Set a schedule for content reviews and updates. This could be quarterly, biannually, or annually, depending on your site's size and complexity. During these reviews, look for outdated information, broken links, and opportunities for optimization.
Think of content updates as a breath of fresh air for your site. They keep your audience engaged and ensure that your site remains a valuable resource for both users and search engines.
Monitoring and Maintaining Your Site
Once you've cleaned up your site, the work doesn't stop there. Regular monitoring and maintenance are crucial to keeping unwanted pages at bay. Set up regular site audits to identify any new issues or opportunities for improvement.
Use tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and site audit software to keep an eye on your site's performance. Look for trends, track changes, and make adjustments as needed.
Think of site maintenance as routine check-ups for your website. Just like you wouldn't skip a doctor's appointment, don't skip regular maintenance for your site. It ensures that your site remains healthy, functional, and optimized for SEO.
Final Thoughts
Unwanted pages can be a thorn in the side of your website's SEO efforts, but with the right strategies, you can tackle them head-on. By identifying, updating, merging, or removing these pages, you can streamline your site's structure and improve its performance in search engines.
At Pattern, we understand the challenges that come with managing a website's SEO. That's why we're here to help ecommerce brands and SaaS startups grow by driving more traffic from Google and turning that traffic into paying customers. We go beyond just rankings, focusing on real results that matter. Whether it's creating programmatic landing pages or crafting conversion-focused content, we make sure every dollar you invest delivers real ROI. If you're ready to make SEO a growth channel that drives sales and lowers your customer acquisition costs, let's work together. Contact us today and see how we can help you achieve your goals.